I love my Google Reader and check it about five times a day to see what’s going on. I get a little stressed out when I check it and see that I have 55 new posts to read! I like to check it more often and knock out my reading five at a time rather than fifty-five at a time.

I’ve noticed this “Following” link on my blogspot dashboard and think it’s just like my Google Reader, but I’m going to try it anyway. I really like being able to know who’s checking in on Blue-Eyed Bride every day. I want to read your blog, too!

I’ve also noticed that you can import your Google Reader into your “following” list on your dashboard. This made the process much easier!

So if you’re reading, please just find the “Who’s Reading” link at the bottom of the column on the right and click “follow this blog.”

Does anyone else think this process is at all redundant?

Am I the only one who just heard about Bakerella? These cupcakes and other treats are gorgeous! Sweets for the eyes and the tummy! I’m in awe of these images and the recipes. They’re obviously not good for my mission to lose the “newlywed ten” (pounds, that is), but I’ll dream of making them for a special occasion.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Ribbon Dessert

12 Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies, divided
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tub (12 oz.) Cool Whip Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
2 squares Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

Crush 8 of the cookies in resealable plastic bag with rolling pin. Mix cookie crumbs and butter. Press onto bottom of foil-lined 9×5-inch loaf pan.

Mix cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gently stir in 3 cups of the whipped topping. Spoon 1/2 cup of the cream cheese mixture into small bowl. Stir in melted chocolate until well blended; set aside. Spoon half of the remaining cream cheese mixture over crust. Top evenly with chocolate mixture; cover with remaining cream cheese mixture.

Freeze 4 hours or overnight until firm. Invert onto plate. Remove foil, then re-invert onto serving platter so that crumb layer is on bottom. Coarsely break the remaining 4 cookies. Top dessert with remaining whipping topping and cookies.

More adorable Bakerella images:

I created this blog on September 25, 2007 and can’t believe nearly a year has gone by since then. When this entry posts, I will be three posts away from my 200th entry! Crazy.

In honor of my 200th entry, I will be hosting a giveaway. Yes, a giveaway to celebrate me and my blog! No, it’s really to celebrate those of you who stop by and thank you for hanging in there with me!

Stay tuned and come prepared to play!

I love this song by Alan Jackson because it keeps those memories and those feelings from September 11, 2001 alive inside of me. There are a lot of things that Americans have in common, but one thing that ALL Americans have in common is that we went through this day together and we will all tell the story of that day to our children and our grandchildren. Everyone’s story is different and I have really enjoyed reading some of the other stories today of where people were when they heard or saw the news. Keeping those memories alive will honor the victims, honor those who are fighting for us and have been fighting for us in the years since that day, and will bring us all together.

I was a sophomore at Louisiana Tech University and September 11, 2001 was the first day of classes. I worked in the Admissions Office and I was walking to work from my apartment. When I got to work, it had just happened and a coworker had heard the news in the radio on her way in. Someone ran home to get a TV so we could stay updated on what was going on. I went to my first couple of classes and both were cancelled. No one could focus or concentrate on anything because we were overcome with worry. The University hosted a blood drive that day and my friend and I went to donate blood. I finally got in touch with my parents and had a little relief there. I wasn’t worried for their safety, but I needed the comfort of hearing their voices. I was supposed to go to Shreveport that night to see Matchbox Twenty, but we decided not to go. The concert ended up being cancelled after all. I went to the Methodist church in town and the place was packed. We held hands and sang patriotic hymns and prayed. The Alan Jackson song really hits home because I did some of those things that day.

I haven’t forgotten.

Where were you when the world stopped turning? I’d really appreciate hearing your story of where you were on September 11, 2001.